FC Talanta striker Emmanuel Osoro has explained why he withdrew from the national team, Harambee Stars squad for the upcoming 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).Osoro was one of the popular names in the 30-man provisional squad released by Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy in preparation for the tournament.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsThe former Nzoia Sugar FC forward scored 16 goals in the just concluded FKF Premier League season, just one less than Moses Shummah who won the golden boot.Despite his call up, Osoro was conspicuously missing from the Kenyan squad that reported to camp on Thursday 10 July and took part in a Pre-CHAN press conference.FKF boss clears air on Harambee Stars selectionIn an exclusive interview with Mozzart Sport, the 19-year-old revealed that he withdrew from the team after making a move that rendered him ineligible to feature in the tournament.“I got a deal to join a club in Zambia which I had already signed even before the squad was named and therefore I could not make it to camp,” said Osoro.The prolific forward went on to reveal that he will be leaving the country for Zambian side Power Dynamos, the same club that Shummah joined late last week.Blow for Harambee Stars as FKFPL top scorer is ruled out of CHAN after Zambia move“I will be travelling to Zambia on Friday (11 July) to link up with my team,” he added.Osoro’s withdrawal is yet another blow to McCarthy and Kenya at large.’It’s a great opportunity’ – McCarthy on Moses Shumah’s move to ZambiaOsoro and Shummah were the most match fit and on-form strikers in the season and their withdrawal leaves McCarthy with only Ryan Ogam as the forward with proven goal scoring prowess.However, Ogam just returned from an injury that kept him out for three months, thereby raising doubts as to whether he is match fit.##NAJAVA_MECA_9012213##In the absence of the two, McCarthy is expected to use Edward ‘Ondimo’ Omondi as the alternative striker to Ogam, a role Ondimo has played well at his club, Sofapaka FC.The highly anticipated CHAN will be held from Saturday 2 August to Saturday 30 August to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
